By Diane Timmerman, Professor of Theatre, Butler University, Indianapolis


Cape Town, a beautiful city dominated by magnificent Table Mountain, is culturally rich with a thriving arts scene, fascinating historical sites, and a lovely harbor. Cape Town is also home to shanty towns, or townships, where thousands of mostly black South Africans live in dwellings of corrugated metal, plastic, and scrap lumber. Some townships stretch on for miles, leading outsiders like us to wonder if anyone could ever make a difference.

When we visited Christel House South Africa, we realized that the Christel House organization was! The newly-built school is purposely located in a nice neighborhood, both for the students’ safety and for students to witness another way of life. Each room of the airy, energy-efficient school offers students gorgeous views of the mountains, a perk typically reserved for the wealthy.

There are all sorts of “green” touches to the construction and the ethos of the school. For example, students, their families, and the school staff tend gardens right outside the classroom doors. The vegetables supplement cafeteria lunches, and students can take materials to grow their own mini-gardens at home too.

We visited many service organizations around the world, but what sets Christel House apart is that the school is there not only for the children, but also for their families and the community. We believe these children and their families will be able to make positive changes in their lives with the support of Christel House.

Back home, we’re interested in continuing to help with Christel House South Africa—and the other Christel Houses around the world, including the one right here in Indianapolis, our own backyard! We’re starting relatively small, raising funds among our family and friends. The amount we raise will not change the world. Still, we learned last semester that every bit does help. When we saw the power of Christel House South Africa, we knew we had to help the teachers, administrators, students and families of this life-changing school.

Stay tuned for an update from us later this year!